Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device is described that includes an optical member such as a camera. According to an exemplary embodiment, the display device includes: a substrate that overlaps a light transmission area, a display area that surrounds the light transmission area, and a boundary area that is disposed between the light transmission area and the display area; a first light blocking member that is disposed on the substrate and overlaps the boundary area; a window that overlaps the substrate; and a second light blocking member that is disposed between the first light blocking member and the window, and overlaps the boundary area, wherein the first light blocking member includes a first opening that overlaps the light transmission area, the second light blocking member includes a second opening that overlaps the light transmission area, and a diameter of the first opening is larger than a diameter of the second opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 18/061,574 filed on Dec. 5, 2022, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/751,462 filed on Jan. 24, 2020, and KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2019-0025811 filed in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office on Mar. 6, 2019, the entire contents of which areincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND (a) Field

The present disclosure relates to a display device.

(b) Description of the Related Art

A display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a lightemitting diode (LED) display, and the like, may include a display panelthat uses a plurality of pixels that can display an image. Each pixelincludes a pixel electrode that receives a data signal. The pixelelectrode is connected to at least one transistor and receives the datasignal from the aforementioned transistor.

In recent years, there has been significant development in displaydevices with camera functions other than a video display.Conventionally, an optical member, such as a camera or an infraredsensor, exists outside a display area of a display device.Consequentially, the space where a display device can display an imagecan be reduced.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is for anenhancement of understanding of the background of the disclosure andtherefore the disclosure may contain information that does not form theprior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinaryskill in the art.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments have been made in an effort to provide a displayincluding an optical member surrounded by a display area. In particular,a display device of which a peripheral area of an optical member is notviewed by a user is provided.

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment includes: asubstrate that overlaps a light transmission area, a display area thatsurrounds the light transmission area, and a boundary area that isdisposed between the light transmission area and the display area; afirst light blocking member that is disposed on the substrate andoverlaps the boundary area; a window that overlaps the substrate; and asecond light blocking member that is disposed between the first lightblocking member and the window, and overlaps the boundary area, whereinthe first light blocking member includes a first opening that overlapsthe light transmission area, the second light blocking member includes asecond opening that overlaps the light transmission area, and a diameterof the first opening is larger than a diameter of the second opening.

The first light blocking member may include a first interior edge thatforms the first opening, and a first exterior edge, and the firstinterior edge may overlap the second light blocking member.

The second light blocking member may include a second interior edge thatforms the second opening, and a second exterior edge, and the secondexterior edge may overlap the first light blocking member.

The first exterior edge may be aligned with an edge of the boundaryarea.

The second interior edge may be aligned with an edge of the boundaryarea.

The display device may further include an optical member that overlapsthe light transmission area.

A width of the optical member may be smaller than a width of the lighttransmission area.

A diameter of the optical member may be smaller than a diameter of thesecond opening.

In the display area, a thin film transistor that is disposed on thesubstrate; a pixel electrode that is connected with the thin filmtransistor; a common electrode that overlaps the pixel electrode; and anemission layer that is disposed between the pixel electrode and thecommon electrode may be disposed.

The display device may further include a partition wall that overlaps atleast a part of the pixel electrode, wherein the first light blockingmember may be disposed on the partition wall.

At least a part of the common electrode may be disposed on the firstlight blocking member.

The display device may further include an encapsulation layer that isdisposed on the common electrode.

The display device may further include an encapsulation layer that isdisposed on the common electrode, wherein the first light blockingmember may be disposed on the encapsulation layer.

The substrate may include a through-hole that overlaps the opticalmember.

The optical member may overlap the substrate.

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment includes: asubstrate that overlaps a light transmission area, a display area thatsurrounds the light transmission area, and a boundary area that isdisposed between the light transmission area and the display area; afirst light blocking member that is disposed on the substrate andoverlaps the boundary area; a window that overlaps the substrate; and asecond light blocking member that is disposed between the first lightblocking member and the window, and overlaps the boundary area, and anedge of the boundary area overlaps an edge of the first light blockingmember and an edge of the second light blocking member.

The first light blocking member may be disposed adjacent to the displayarea, and the second light blocking member may be disposed adjacent tothe light transmission area.

The display device may further include an adhesive layer that isdisposed between the first light blocking member and the second lightblocking member.

According to the exemplary embodiments, the peripheral area of theoptical member, surrounded by the display device can be prevented frombeing viewed. A display device with improved display quality can beprovided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of a display device according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device, cutalong a part of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a part ofFIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a part ofFIG. 2 .

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a part ofFIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device cut alonga part of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a part ofFIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a part ofFIG. 5 .

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a part ofFIG. 5 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, certain exemplary embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been shown and described, simply by way ofillustration. As those skilled in the art would realize, the describedembodiments may be modified in various different ways, without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not restrictive. Like reference numeralsdesignate like elements throughout the disclosure.

Further, since a size and a thickness of each element illustrated in thedrawings are arbitrarily illustrated for convenience of description, thepresent disclosure is not necessarily limited to those shown in thedrawings. In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels,regions, etc., are exaggerated for clarity. In addition, in the drawing,for convenience of description, the thickness of some of layers, films,panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated.

It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film,region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, theelement can be directly on the other element or intervening elements mayalso be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being“directly on” another element, there are no intervening elementspresent. The word “on” or “above” means positioned on or below theobject portion, and does not necessarily mean positioned on the upperside of the object portion based on a gravitational direction.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word“comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will beunderstood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not theexclusion of any other elements.

Further, in this disclosure, the phrase “on a plane” means viewing atarget portion from the top, and the phrase “on a cross-section” meansviewing a cross-section formed by vertically cutting a target portionfrom the side.

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 . FIG. 1 is a schematictop plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment,and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device,cut along an area of FIG. 1 .

First, referring to FIG. 1 , a display device 1 according to anexemplary embodiment may include an external buffer area 201, anencapsulation bonding area 251, a display area DA, a light transmissionarea TA, and a boundary area BA disposed between the display area DA andthe light transmission area TA.

The display area DA is an area where a plurality of pixels are arrangedand thus an image can be displayed. Each pixel includes a pixel circuitand an emission portion that receives a current from the pixel circuitand emits light.

The light transmission area TA has relatively higher light transmittancethan the display area DA or the external buffer area 201, and has nopixels disposed therein, thereby an image is not be displayed. Sincelight is transmitted in the light transmission area TA, when at leastone optical member 10 (refer to FIG. 2 ) is disposed below the lighttransmission area TA, light may be incident on the optical member 10 orlight may be emitted from the optical member 10. The optical member 10may be provided as a camera, a flash, a sensor, and the like.Hereinafter, the optical member 10 may be described by using a camera asan example, but this is not restrictive.

The light transmission area TA according to the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1 may be disposed in the display area DA. The light transmissionarea TA is surrounded by the plurality of pixels included in the displayarea DA.

Since the light transmission area TA is larger than each pixel in size,the light transmission area TA is different from a light-transmittingzone formed in each pixel for realization of transparent display. Forexample, an area where the pixel circuit is formed in each pixel mayhave a rectangular shape of 25 μm (horizontal)*50 μm (vertical), but thelight transmission area TA may have a circular shape having a diameterof 3 mm, but this is not restrictive.

The display device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment may includethe boundary area BA disposed between the display area DA and the lighttransmission area TA. One or more light blocking members that blocklight may be disposed in the boundary area BA. This will be described indetail with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 .

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, two light blockingmembers may be disposed in the boundary area BA. The two light blockingmembers may be configured to prevent light (i.e., light generated by thepixels of the display area DA) from passing through the boundary area BAinto the light transmission area TA. This may improve the operation ofan optical member such as a camera, by ensuring that the light incidenton the optical member (or coming from the optical member) is not mixedwith light from the display area DA.

The external buffer area 201 surrounds the display area DA, the lighttransmission area TA, and the boundary area BA (e.g., the externalbuffer area 201 may surround the display area DA and the boundary areaBA on all four sides in a plane perpendicular to a primary viewingsurface of the display device 1). In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the light transmission area TA is surrounded on all sides by theboundary area BA and the display area DA, and the external buffer area201 completely surrounds the display area DA.

In some cases, the encapsulation bonding area 251 surrounds, on allsides, the external buffer area 201. The encapsulation bonding area 251may have an inorganic-inorganic encapsulation bonding structure, bondedwith a plurality of inorganic layers. The encapsulation bonding area 251prevents inflow of moisture into the display area DA from the outside.In addition, an inorganic-inorganic encapsulation adhesive area 251 canbe formed using a frit formed of an inorganic material that bonds to aninorganic insulation layer (e.g., a gate insulation layer, etc.)disposed on a substrate 110.

Hereinafter, a cross-sectional structure will be described withreference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a simplified view between thesubstrate 110 and a window 500 included in the display device 1. In FIG.2 , a pixel PX disposed in the display area DA and including a thin filmtransistor and a light emission element is simply illustrated. The pixelPX will be described in further detail with reference to FIG. 3 .

The display device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment may includethe display area DA where the plurality of pixels PX are disposed, thelight transmission area TA overlapping the optical member 10, and theboundary area BA disposed between the light transmission area TA and thedisplay area DA.

The substrate 110 according to the exemplary embodiment may include athrough-hole H that overlaps the light transmission area TA. Thethrough-hole H may also overlap a part of the boundary area BA, but thisis not restrictive. The through-hole H may be adjusted depending on asize of the optical member 10.

A first light blocking member 111 that overlaps the boundary area B maybe disposed on the substrate 110 and may also be disposed at theperiphery of the light transmission area TA and the periphery of thedisplay area DA. The first light blocking member 111 may also preventlight emitted from the pixel PX from being transmitted to the lighttransmission area TA and may include any material suitable for lightblocking.

The first light blocking member 111 may include a first opening OP1 thatoverlaps the light transmission area TA. However, the first lightblocking member 111 may not overlap the light transmission area TA. Aplanar size of the first opening OP1 may be larger than a planar size ofthe through-hole H. Additionally, a diameter of the first opening OP1may be larger than that of the through-hole H and a planar size of thefirst opening OP1 may be larger than a planar size of the optical member10. The diameter or a width of the first opening OP1 may be larger thana diameter or a width of the optical member 10.

The first light blocking member 111 includes a first interior edge E1that forms the first opening OP1, and a first exterior edge E1 thatfaces the first interior edge E1. The first interior edge E1 may bedisposed adjacent to the light transmission area TA, and the firstexterior edge E2 may be disposed adjacent to the display area DA. Thus,the first light blocking member 111 may be distinct from the displayarea DA, but at least a portion of the first light blocking member 111may be located on a same horizontal plane as the pixel PX.

Although not shown in the drawings, the display device 1 may furtherinclude a polarization layer, a touch layer, and the like, which aredisposed over the plurality of pixels PX. The polarization layer and thetouch layer (not shown) are not disposed in the light transmission areaTA and may have an opening corresponding to the light transmission areaTA. When the polarization layer and the touch layer (not shown) do notoverlap the light transmission area TA, light transmittance of the lighttransmission area TA may be increased.

An adhesive layer 440 may be disposed between the substrate 110 and thewindow 500. The adhesive layer 440 enables the substrate 110 and thewindow 500 to be attached to each other. The adhesive layer 440 may alsonot be formed in a portion that overlaps the light transmission area TA.However, depending on exemplary embodiments, the optically clearadhesive layer 440 may be formed in the light transmission area TA.

A second light blocking member 222 may be formed above a side of thesubstrate 110 which faces the window 500, may contact the adhesive layer440, and may be disposed at the periphery of the light transmission areaTA and the periphery of the display area DA. Additionally, the secondlight blocking member 222 may overlap the boundary area BA, may alsoprevent light emitted from the pixel PX from being transmitted to thelight transmission area TA and may include any suitable material forlight blocking. In some cases, the second light blocking member 222 maybe located within a same vertical area occupied by the adhesive layer440 (i.e., such that a top surface of the second light blocking memberis parallel to a top surface of the adhesive layer).

The second light blocking member 222 may include a second opening OP2that overlaps the light transmission area TA. In some examples, thelight transmission area is defined by the second opening OP2. Thus, thesecond light blocking member 222 may not overlap the light transmissionarea TA. In exemplary embodiments, a planar size of the second openingOP2 may be smaller than a planar size of the through-hole H. A diameterof the second opening OP2 may be smaller than a diameter of thethrough-hole H. Additionally, the planar size of the second opening OP2may be larger than a planar size of the optical member 10 locatedtherein. The diameter of the second opening OP2 may be larger than adiameter or a width of the optical member 10.

The second light blocking member 222 may include a second interior edgeE3 that forms the second opening OP2, and a second exterior edge E4 thatfaces the second interior edge E3. The second interior edge E3 may bedisposed adjacent to the light transmission area TA, and the secondexterior edge E4 may be disposed adjacent to the display area DA.

The first interior edge E1 of the first light blocking member 111 mayoverlap the second light blocking member 222. Here, the term overlap mayrefer to overlapping horizontally with respect to the viewing surface ofthe display device such that a vertical line, perpendicular to theviewing surface, can be extended through both parts). The first exterioredge E2 of the first light blocking member 111 may overlap an edge ofthe boundary area BA. In some cases, the first exterior edge E2 does notoverlap the second light blocking member 222.

The second interior edge E3 of the second light blocking member 222 mayoverlap the edge of the boundary area BA. The second exterior edge E4 ofthe second light blocking member 222 may overlap the first lightblocking member 111.

Thus, the first light blocking member 111 and at least a part of thesecond light blocking member 222 may overlap each other. In the presentdisclosure, an exemplary embodiment in which the first light blockingmember 111 and the second light blocking member 222 are partiallyoverlapped with each other is illustrated, but this is not restrictive.Depending on exemplary embodiments, the first interior edge E1 of thefirst light blocking member 111 and the second exterior edge E4 of thesecond light blocking member may be aligned. However, the first lightblocking member 111 and the second light blocking member 222 maypartially overlap with each other in consideration of the processmargin.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the boundary area BA is definedthrough a combination of the first light blocking member 111 and thesecond light blocking member 222, and accordingly, the lighttransmission area TA and the display area DA can be distinguishedbetween one-another. For example, an external edge of the boundary areaBA (i.e., adjacent to the display area DA) may correspond to the firstexterior edge E2 of the first light blocking member 111, and an internaledge of the boundary area BA (i.e., adjacent to the light transmissionarea TA) may correspond to the second interior edge E3 of the secondlight blocking member 222.

In addition, a planar width of the second opening OP2 of the secondlight blocking member 222 may be smaller than that of the first openingOP1 of the first light blocking member 111, and a diameter of the secondopening OP2 of the second light blocking member 222 may be smaller thanthat of the first opening OP1 of the first light blocking member 111.

The first light blocking member 111 and the second light blocking member222 surround the light transmission area TA.

A width WL of the optical member 10 according to the exemplaryembodiment may be smaller than a width WT of the light transmission areaTA. When the width WT of the light transmission area TA is equal to orsmaller than the width WL of the optical member 10, the optical member10 may be shielded by the second light blocking member 222 due tomisalignment, which may occur during a manufacturing process.

In some embodiments, an air layer (not shown) may be disposed in anopening space between the window 500 and the substrate 110. However,this is not restrictive, and depending on exemplary embodiments, afilling material may be disposed in the opening space. The fillingmaterial may be a silicon (Si)-based organic material.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the boundary area BA between thelight transmission area TA where the optical member 10 is disposed andthe display area DA where the plurality of pixels PX are disposed isblocked by the first light blocking member 111 and the second lightblocking member 222. Therefore, the boundary area BA can be preventedfrom being viewed by a user, and a display device having improveddisplay quality can be provided.

Hereinafter, a cross-sectional structure of the display device accordingto the exemplary embodiment will be described in more detailed withreference to FIG. 3 , FIG. 4 , and FIG. 5 . FIG. 3 is a cross-sectionalview of an exemplary embodiment of a part of FIG. 2 , FIG. 4 is across-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a part of FIG. 2 ,and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of apart of FIG. 2 . The description of the constituent elements overlappingwith the above-described constituent elements will be omitted.

First, referring to FIG. 3 , a light transmission area TA may overlap awindow 500, a through-hole H of a substrate 110, and an optical member10. Such a light transmission area TA has no opaque layer (a metallayer, a semiconductor layer, etc.) as compared with the display area DAdescribed below, and the number of layers is reduced and accordinglylight transmittance is improved by reducing the loss of light occurringat the boundary of the layer.

The optical member 10 is disposed below the substrate 110 in a rear sideof the light transmission area TA, and the optical member 10 may beprovided as a camera, a flash, a sensor, or the like.

A plurality of pixels are formed in the display area DA, and each pixelincludes a pixel circuit and an emission layer that receives a currentfrom the pixel circuit and emits light. The emission layer is dividedwith reference to a partition wall 210.

The substrate 110 may include a plastic layer and a barrier layer, ormay include a glass substrate. The plastic layer and the barrier layermay be alternately stacked.

The plastic layer may include any one selected from a group consistingof polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI),polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyarylate, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate(PC), poly(arylene ether sulfone), and a combination thereof. Thebarrier layer may include at least one of a silicon oxide, a siliconnitride, and an aluminum oxide, but this is not restrictive. The barrierlayer may include any inorganic material.

A buffer layer 120 is disposed on the substrate 110. The buffer layer120 may include an inorganic insulation material such as a siliconoxide, a silicon nitride, an aluminum oxide, and the like, or mayinclude an organic insulation material such as polyimide acryl and thelike. Depending on exemplary embodiments, the buffer layer 120 may beomitted. The buffer layer 120 may planarize one surface of the substrate110, or may prevent inflow of moisture or an impurity into an emissionlayer 370.

A semiconductor layer 130 is disposed on the buffer layer 120. Thesemiconductor layer 130 may include an amorphous semiconductor, apolycrystalline semiconductor, or an oxide semiconductor.

The semiconductor layer 130 may include a source region 132 connectedwith a source electrode 173, a drain region 133 connected with a drainelectrode 175, and a channel region 131 disposed between the sourceregion 132 and the drain region 133.

A gate insulation layer 140 is disposed on the semiconductor layer 130and the buffer layer 120 that is not covered by the semiconductor layer130. The gate insulation layer 140 may also include an inorganicmaterial such as a silicon nitride or a silicon oxide, or an organicinsulation material. Here, a silicon nitride includes, for example, SiNxor SiON, and a silicon oxide includes, for example, SiO_(x).

A gate electrode 124 may be disposed on the gate insulation layer 140.The gate electrode 124 may overlap the channel region 131 of thesemiconductor layer 130.

An interlayer insulation layer 160 is disposed on the gate electrode 124and an exposed portion of the gate insulation layer 140 to cover them.The interlayer insulation layer 160 may include an inorganic insulationmaterial or an organic insulation material.

A source electrode 173 and a drain electrode 175 may be disposed on theinterlayer insulation layer 160. The source electrode 173 and the drainelectrode 175 are connected with the source region 132 and the drainregion 133 of the semiconductor layer 130, respectively, through contactholes of the interlayer insulation layer 160 and the gate insulationlayer 140.

A planarization insulation layer 180 may be disposed on the sourceelectrode 173, the drain electrode 175, and portions of the interlayerinsulation layer 160 exposed therefrom to cover them. The planarizationinsulation layer 180 may include an inorganic insulation material or anorganic insulation material.

A pixel electrode 191, which is a first electrode, is disposed on theplanarization insulation layer 180. The pixel electrode 191 may beconnected with the drain electrode 175 through a contact hole of theplanarization insulation layer 180.

The partition wall 210 may be disposed on the pixel electrode 191 andthe planarization insulation layer 180. The partition wall 210 mayoverlap at least a part of the pixel electrode 191. The partition wall210 includes an opening 211 that overlaps the pixel electrode 191. Theemission layer 370 is disposed in the opening 211. A common electrode270 is disposed on the emission layer 370 and the partition wall 210.The pixel electrode 191, the emission layer 370, and the commonelectrode 270 form a light emitting element.

Depending on exemplary embodiments, the pixel electrode 191 may be ananode, which is a hole injection electrode, and the common electrode 270may be a cathode, which is an electron injection electrode. On thecontrary, the pixel electrode may be a cathode and the common electrodemay be anode. A hole and an electron are injected into the lightemission layer 370 from the pixel electrode 191 and the common electrode270 and an exciton formed by coupling the injected hole and electronfalls from an excited state to a ground state to emit light.

Depending on exemplary embodiments, an auxiliary layer 370 a may bedisposed between the common electrode 270 and the emission layer 370.The auxiliary layer 370 a may include at least one of an electrontransport layer and an electron injection layer, and may be omitteddepending on exemplary embodiments. In addition, although an auxiliarylayer 370 a is not illustrated, at least one of a hole transport layerand a hole injection layer disposed between the pixel electrode 191 andthe emission layer 370 may be included. The hole transport layer and thehole injection layer may have the same planar shape as the auxiliarylayer 370 a.

An encapsulation layer 400 that protects the light emitting element isdisposed on the common electrode 270. The encapsulation layer 400 maycontact one side of the substrate 110 while contacting the commonelectrode 270 and the first light blocking member 111 as shown in thedrawing.

The encapsulation layer 400 may be a thin film encapsulation layer inwhich an inorganic layer and an organic layer are stacked and mayinclude a triple layer formed of an inorganic layer, an organic layer,and an inorganic layer. However, the encapsulation layer 400 is notlimited thereto and may be formed in the shape of a substrate. Dependingon exemplary embodiments, a capping layer and a function layer may bedisposed between the second electrode 270 and the encapsulation layer400.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first light blocking member111 may be disposed on the partition wall 210. The first light blockingmember 111 may be formed along a side surface of the partition wall 210from a top surface of the partition wall 210, and may contact thesubstrate 110. For example, the first light blocking member 111 maycontact the top surface of the partition wall 210, a side surface of theplanarization insulation layer 180, and a side surface of the interlayerinsulation layer 160. Thus, an interior edge of the first light blockingmember 111 may extend vertically from the adhesive layer to thesubstrate 110, whereas an exterior edge of the first light blockingmember 111 may not extend down to the substrate 110 but may contact thepartition wall 210.

In some cases, the auxiliary layer 370 a and the common electrode 270may overlap the partition wall 210 and a part of the first lightblocking member 111 while being disposed on the emission layer 370. Apart of the auxiliary layer 370 a and a part of the common electrode 270may be disposed on a top surface of the partition wall 210. A part ofthe first light blocking member 111 may be disposed between theauxiliary layer 370 a, the common electrode 270, and the commonelectrode 270.

Next, referring to FIG. 4 , the first light blocking member 111 may bedisposed on the encapsulation layer 400 according to an exemplaryembodiment. The first light blocking member 111 may extend to contactthe substrate 110, while overlapping a top surface and a side surface ofthe encapsulation layer 400.

An optically clear adhesive layer 440 and the first light blockingmember 111 may be disposed on the encapsulation layer 400. The secondlight blocking member 222 may be disposed over a portion of the adhesivelayer 440, but may be located within the vertical extension of theadhesive layer 440. In some examples, a portion of the adhesive layer440 may be disposed between the first light blocking member 111 and thesecond light blocking member 222.

Although the present disclosure has described the position of the firstlight blocking member 111, the lamination structure can be changed inthe range overlapping with the boundary area BA.

Next, referring to FIG. 5 , a color filter 330 may be disposed on anencapsulation layer 400 along with a first light blocking member 111.The first light blocking member 111 includes a first opening OP1 thatoverlaps a light transmission area TA. The color filter 330 may bedisposed at a position that overlaps an emission layer 370. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the color filter 330 and the first lightblocking member 111 are formed on the encapsulation layer 400, but thisis not restrictive. Depending on exemplary embodiments, the color filter330 may be disposed on the encapsulation layer 400 shown in FIG. 3 .

According to the exemplary embodiment, the emission layer 370 emits bluelight, and the color filter 330 may include a quantum dot that convertsa blue light to red light or a quantum dot that converts the blue lightto green light or may directly emit incident blue light. Alternatively,emission layers 370 may emit red light, green light, and blue light.

As previously described, the color filter 330 according to the exemplaryembodiment may include a quantum dot. A core of the quantum dot may beselected from a combination of a group II-VI compound, a group III-Vcompound, a group IV-VI compound, a group IV element, a group IVcompound, and a combination thereof.

The group II-VI compound may be selected from: a group of two-elementcompounds selected from CdSe, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, ZnO, HgS, HgSe,HgTe, MgSe, MgS, and a mixture thereof; a group of three-elementcompounds selected from AgInS, CuInS, CdSeS, CdSeTe, CdSTe, ZnSeS,ZnSeTe, ZnSTe, HgSeS, HgSeTe, HgSTe, CdZnS, CdZnSe, CdZnTe, CdHgS,CdHgSe, CdHgTe, HgZnS, HgZnSe, HgZnTe, MgZnSe, MgZnS, and a mixturethereof; and a group of four-element compounds selected from HgZnTeS,CdZnSeS, CdZnSeTe, CdZnSTe, CdHgSeS, CdHgSeTe, CdHgSTe, HgZnSeS,HgZnSeTe, HgZnSTe, and a mixture thereof, but are not limited as such.

The group III-V compound may be selected from: a group of two-elementcompounds selected from GaN, GaP, GaAs, GaSb, AlN, AlP, AlAs, AlSb, InN,InP, InAs, InSb, and a mixture thereof; a group of three-elementcompounds selected from GaNP, GaNAs, GaNSb, GaPAs, GaPSb, AlNP, AlNAs,AlNSb, AlPAs, AlPSb, InGaP, InNP, InNAs, InNSb, InPAs, InPSb, GaAlNP,and a mixture thereof; and a group of four-element compounds selectedfrom GaAlNAs, GaAlNSb, GaAlPAs, GaAlPSb, GaInNP, GaInNAs, GaInNSb,GaInPAs, GaInPSb, InAlNP, InAlNAs, InAlNSb, InAlPAs, InAlPSb, and amixture thereof, but are not limited as such.

The group IV-VI compound may be selected from: a group of two-elementcompounds selected from SnS, SnSe, SnTe, PbS, PbSe, PbTe, and a mixturethereof; a group of three-element compounds selected from SnSeS, SnSeTe,SnSTe, PbSeS, PbSeTe, PbSTe, SnPbS, SnPbSe, SnPbTe, and a mixturethereof; and a group of four-element compounds selected from SnPbSSe,SnPbSeTe, SnPbSTe, and a mixture thereof. The group IV element may beselected from a group of Si, Ge, and a mixture thereof. The group IVcompound may be a two-element compound selected from a group of SiC,SiGe, and a mixture thereof, but are not limited as such.

In this case, the two-element compound, the three-element compound, orthe four-element compound may exist in particles at a uniformconcentration or may exist in the same particle divided into stateswhere concentration distributions are partially different. Further, thequantum dot may have a core/shell structure where one quantum dotsurrounds another quantum dot. An interface between the core and theshell may have a concentration gradient, such that a concentration of anelement existing in the shell is gradually reduced nearing to the centerthereof.

In some embodiments, the quantum dot may have a core-shell structureincluding a core having the above-described nanocrystals and a shellsurrounding the core. The shell of the quantum dot can serve as aprotective layer for maintaining the semiconductor characteristic and/oras a charging layer for imparting the electrophoretic characteristic tothe quantum dot by preventing chemical denaturation of the core. Theshell may be a single layer or multiple layers. An interfacing surfacebetween the core and the shell may have a concentration gradient inwhich a concentration of an element decreases closer to its center. Theshell of the quantum dot may include a metal or non-metal oxide, asemiconductor compound, or a combination thereof.

For example, the metal or non-metal oxide may exemplary include atwo-element compound such as SiO₂, Al₂O₃, TiO₂, ZnO, MnO, Mn₂O₃, Mn₃O₄,CuO, FeO, Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄, CoO, Co₃O₄, NiO, and the like, or athree-element compound such as MgAl₂O₄, CoFe₂O₄, NiFe₂O₄, CoMn₂O₄, andthe like, but are not limited as such.

In addition, the semiconductor compound may exemplary include CdS, CdSe,CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, ZnSeS, ZnTeS, GaAs, GaP, GaSb, HgS, HgSe, HgTe,InAs, InP, InGaP, InSb, AlAs, AlP, AlSb, and the like, but are notlimited as such.

The quantum dot may have a full width of half maximum (FWHM) of a lightemission wavelength spectrum of less than about 45 nm; color purity orcolor reproducibility can be improved within a range of about 40 nm to30 nm. Also, light emitted through the quantum dots is emitted inmultiple directions, so that a wide viewing angle can be improved.

In addition, shapes of the quantum dots are not limited to shapes thatare generally used in the related art; and a nanoparticle having aspherical, pyramidal, multi-arm, or cubic shape, a nanotube, a nanowire,a nanofiber, and a planar nanoparticle, to be used.

Quantum dots have the ability to control the color of emitted lightaccording to the particle size, and thus the quantum dots can havevarious luminescent hues such as blue, red, and green.

The adhesive layer 440 may be disposed between the color filter 330 andthe window 500 and between the first light blocking member 111 and thewindow 500. Descriptions of the same constituent elements as those ofthe above-mentioned constituent elements may be omitted.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment willbe described with reference to FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 is a schematiccross-sectional view of a display device, cut along a part of FIG. 1 .Description of the same components as those of the above-describedcomponents will be omitted.

First, referring to FIG. 6 , a light transmission area TA has a non-holestructure. In case of a through-hole structure, a through-hole is formedin a substrate 110 included in a display device 1, but in case of thenon-hole structure, the substrate 110 does not include a through-hole.Thus, the light transmission area TA may overlap the substrate 110 andan optical member 10.

Since the light transmission area TA is larger than a single pixel insize, the light transmission area TA is different from alight-transmitting zone that is formed in a pixel for realization oftransparent display. For example, an area in a pixel in which a pixelcircuit is formed, may have a rectangular shape of 25 μm (horizontal)*50μm (vertical), but the light transmission area TA may have a circularstructure having a diameter of 3 mm.

Next, a cross-sectional view of a display device according to anexemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG.9 . FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of apart of FIG. 6 , FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplaryembodiment of a part of FIG. 6 , and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view ofan exemplary embodiment of a part of FIG. 6 .

First, referring to FIG. 7 , a light transmission area TA may overlap asubstrate 110, an auxiliary layer 370 a that forms a light emittingelement, a common electrode 270, an air layer, and a window 500.Depending on exemplary embodiments, the common electrode 270 may beomitted, and at least one of a buffer layer 120 and a gate insulationlayer 140 may be disposed.

A first light blocking member 111 may be disposed on a partition wall210 and may contact of a side of at least one of a planarizationinsulation layer 180, an interlayer insulation layer 160, a gateinsulation layer 140, and a buffer layer 120, while overlapping a topsurface of the partition wall 210. The first light blocking member 111may also extend to one side of the substrate 110.

In addition, the auxiliary layer 370 a and the common electrode 270 mayoverlap a display area DA, a boundary area BA, and a light transmissionarea TA. The auxiliary layer 370 a and the common electrode 270 mayextend to the boundary area BA from the display area DA and may overlapa side surface and a top surface of the first light blocking member 111,disposed in the boundary area BA.

Next, referring to FIG. 8 , a light transmission area TA may overlap asubstrate 110, an auxiliary layer 370 a that forms a light emittingelement, a common electrode 270, an air layer, and a window 500.Depending on exemplary embodiments, the common electrode 270 may beomitted, and at least one of a buffer layer 120 and a gate insulationlayer 140 may be disposed.

A first light blocking member 111 may be disposed on an encapsulationlayer 400 and may extend toward the substrate 110 while overlapping atop surface and a side surface of the encapsulation layer 400.Additionally, the first light blocking member 111 may be disposedbetween the encapsulation layer 400 and an adhesive layer 440.

Next, referring to FIG. 9 , a light transmission area TA may overlap asubstrate 110, an auxiliary layer 370 a that forms a light emittingelement, a common electrode 270, an air layer, and a window 500.Depending on exemplary embodiments, the common electrode 270 may beomitted, and at least one of a buffer layer 120 and a gate insulationlayer 140 may be disposed.

A color filter 330 and a first light blocking member 111 may be disposedon an encapsulation layer 400. The first light blocking member 111includes a first opening that overlaps the light transmission area TA.The color filter 330 may be disposed at a position overlapping theemission layer 370. In the present exemplary embodiment, the colorfilter 330 and the first light blocking member 111 are formed on theencapsulation layer 400, but this is not restrictive. Depending onexemplary embodiments, the color filter 330 may be disposed on theencapsulation layer 400 shown in FIG. 7 .

According to the exemplary embodiment, the emission layer 370 emits bluelight, and the color filter 330 may include a quantum dot that convertsblue light to red light or a quantum dot that converts the blue light togreen light, or may directly emit an incident blue light. Alternatively,emission layers 370 may emit red light, green light, and blue light.

The color filter 330 according to the exemplary embodiment may include aquantum dot. A core of the quantum dot may be selected from acombination of a group II-VI compound, a group III-V compound, a groupIV-VI compound, a group IV element, a group IV compound, and acombination thereof.

An adhesive layer 440 may be disposed between the color filter 330 andthe window 500 and between the first light blocking member 111 and thewindow 500. Descriptions of the same constituent elements as those ofthe above-mentioned constituent elements are omitted.

While this disclosure has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosedembodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS

-   -   TA: light transmission area    -   DA: display area    -   BA: boundary region    -   OP1: first opening    -   OP2: second opening    -   111: first light blocking member    -   222: second light blocking member    -   500: window

1. A display device comprising: a substrate that overlaps a lighttransmission area, a display area that surrounds the light transmissionarea, and a boundary area that is disposed between the lighttransmission area and the display area; an insulation layer overlappingthe boundary area and the display area and defining a hole overlappingthe light transmission area; a pixel electrode disposed on theinsulation layer, an emission layer disposed on the pixel electrode, acommon electrode disposed on the emission layer, an encapsulation layerdisposed on the common electrode, and a first light blocking layerdisposed on an inner surface of the hole, wherein the first lightblocking layer contacts an upper surface of the substrate and theencapsulation layer.
 2. The display device of claim 1, wherein theencapsulation layer covers the inner surface of the hole.
 3. The displaydevice of claim 1, wherein the encapsulation layer is disposed betweenthe inner surface of the hole and the first light blocking layer.
 4. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the encapsulation layer contacts theupper surface of the substrate.
 5. The display device of claim 1,wherein the first light blocking layer contacts an upper surface of theencapsulation layer.
 6. The display device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a window that overlapping the substrate; and a second lightblocking layer disposed between the first light blocking layer and thewindow and overlapping the boundary area.
 7. The display device of claim6, wherein the first light blocking layer comprises a first opening thatoverlaps the light transmission area, and the second light blockinglayer comprises a second opening that overlaps the light transmissionarea, and wherein a diameter of the first opening is larger than adiameter of the second opening.
 8. The display device of claim 1,wherein the substrate comprises a through-hole that overlaps the hole ofthe insulation layer.
 9. The display device of claim 8, furthercomprising an optical member that overlaps the through-hole, and whereina width of the optical member is smaller than a width of the lighttransmission area.
 10. The display device of claim 1, further comprisingan adhesive layer that is disposed between the first light blockinglayer and the second light blocking layer.
 11. The display device ofclaim 10, wherein the adhesive layer directly contacts the first lightblocking layer and the second light blocking layer.
 12. The displaydevice of claim 1, further comprising a partition wall that overlaps atleast a part of the pixel electrode, wherein the first light blockinglayer overlaps the partition wall.
 13. The display device of claim 12,further comprising an auxiliary layer disposed between the emissionlayer and the common electrode, wherein a part of the first blockinglayer overlaps the auxiliary layer, and wherein the part of the firstblocking layer overlaps the common electrode.
 14. The display device ofclaim 6, wherein the first light blocking layer is disposed adjacent tothe display area, and the second light blocking layer is disposedadjacent to the light transmission area.
 15. The display device of claim14, wherein the part of the second blocking layer overlaps the auxiliarylayer and the common electrode.
 16. A display device comprising: asubstrate that overlaps a light transmission area, a display area thatsurrounds the light transmission area, and a boundary area that isdisposed between the light transmission area and the display area; aninsulation layer overlapping the boundary area and the display area anddefining a hole overlapping the light transmission area; a pixelelectrode disposed on the insulation layer, an emission layer disposedon the pixel electrode, a common electrode disposed on the emissionlayer, an encapsulation layer disposed on the common electrode, and afirst light blocking layer disposed on an inner surface of the hole,wherein the hole overlaps the substrate in the light transmission area,and the first light blocking layer contacts the encapsulation layer andcovers the inner surface of the hole.
 17. The display device of claim16, wherein the encapsulation layer covers the inner surface of thehole.
 18. The display device of claim 16, further comprising anauxiliary layer disposed between the emission layer and the commonelectrode, wherein the auxiliary layer and the common electrode coverthe inner surface of the hole.
 19. The display device of claim 18,wherein the auxiliary layer and the common electrode are continuouslydisposed on the inner surface of the hole and the substrate overlappingthe light transmission area.
 20. The display device of claim 16, thefirst light blocking layer exposes a part of the common electrodeoverlapping the hole.
 21. The display device of claim 16, wherein thefirst light blocking layer contacts the common electrode in the hole.22. The display device of claim 16, wherein the first light blockinglayer contacts an upper surface of the encapsulation layer.
 23. Thedisplay device of claim 16, further comprising: a window that overlapsthe substrate; and a second light blocking layer disposed between thefirst light blocking layer and the window and overlapping the boundaryarea.
 24. The display device of claim 23, wherein the first lightblocking layer comprises a first opening that overlaps the lighttransmission area, and the second light blocking layer comprises asecond opening that overlaps the light transmission area, and wherein adiameter of the first opening is larger than a diameter of the secondopening.
 25. The display device of claim 16, further comprising anadhesive layer that is disposed between the first light blocking layerand the second light blocking layer.
 26. The display device of claim 25,wherein the adhesive layer directly contacts the first light blockinglayer and the second light blocking layer.
 27. The display device ofclaim 23, wherein the first light blocking layer is disposed adjacent tothe display area, and the second light blocking layer is disposedadjacent to the light transmission area.